MTB shoes for flat pedals

[Coquet]

In need of some new shoes for riding enduro/trails stuff with my flat pedals. Budget of £70, any suggestions?

[Kermit power]

Welcome to PH... This little bit, at least, is a friendly place.

I bought some Five Ten Freeriders in November, and absolutely love them. They're really comfortable, and feel absolutely welded onto my pedals - DMR V12s on one bike, Nukeproof Neutrons on the other.

I got them on Chain Reaction for £58 on sale back in November. They're £80 now, but you could probably find them somewhere online a tenner cheaper to meet your budget.

[Jimbo.]

5:10s are worth a look if you can stomach the god-awful looks and water-absorbancy of them. I found them OK, but much preferred Shimano's AM equivalent (AM41? It's been a while now). 95% the grip of the 5:10s, but much, much better made.

[Kermit power]

Jimbo. said:

5:10s are worth a look if you can stomach the god-awful looks and water-absorbancy of them. I found them OK, but much preferred Shimano's AM equivalent (AM41? It's been a while now). 95% the grip of the 5:10s, but much, much better made.

You're right that the Five Tens do get rather soggy! I find, though, that after the first dunking they start acting like little wetsuits for my feet, so don't actually get cold.

On the aesthetics, though, we'll have to agree to differ!! I did also look at the AM41s, but they just immediately reminded of the left shoe a kid at my primary school had. The right shoe was easier to tell apart, as that one had a 6 inch sole on it!

[Mr Gearchange]

Teva Links.
Stiff soled, super grippy, waterproof and don't act like a sponge like the 5:10's do

[anonymous-user]

the new 5:10s that came out late last year are much much better at not absorbing water and looking a lot less, er, special, than the old ones! ;-)

[markcurtains]

Coquet said:

In need of some new shoes for riding enduro/trails stuff with my flat pedals. Budget of £70, any suggestions?

18 Bikes

[Gren]

Jimbo. said:

5:10s are worth a look if you can stomach the god-awful looks and water-absorbancy of them. I found them OK, but much preferred Shimano's AM equivalent (AM41? It's been a while now). 95% the grip of the 5:10s, but much, much better made.

I have the Freerider Elements - solves both of these problems

[muckymotor]

What are the Five Tens like when you are off the bike and climbing up muddy or rocky ground?

[joema]

Fine.

5.10's are second to none for flat pedals.

also think about what pedals you have as they can make a big difference

[Kermit power]

muckymotor said:

What are the Five Tens like when you are off the bike and climbing up muddy or rocky ground?

I don't know. They stick to the pedals so well that I've been able to ride up everything I've seen since I got them without dabbing down.















Seriously, they're fine. The trade off of having a completely flat sole to better grip the pedals is that they do feel a bit, er, flat-soled on tarmac. Not uncomfortable, but you're just a bit more aware of them than normal trainers. For pushing uphill on trails, no problem at all.

[Rob_T]

have you considered looking at the pedals? obviously i don't know what you have currently, but if you were to get something like dmr vaults, then you can wear almost any shoes as the pedals and very grippy. just don't let them flick up onto your shins!!!

[Rob_T]

have you considered looking at the pedals? obviously i don't know what you have currently, but if you were to get something like dmr vaults, then you can wear almost any shoes as the pedals and very grippy. just don't let them flick up onto your shins!!!

[Craikeybaby]

Another happy 5:10s wearer here.

[deadtom]

Rob_T said:

have you considered looking at the pedals? obviously i don't know what you have currently, but if you were to get something like dmr vaults, then you can wear almost any shoes as the pedals and very grippy. just don't let them flick up onto your shins!!!

This is true, but shoe choice is about more than just grip. proper riding shoes have a really supportive sole and sides that won't squirm, roll and deform while riding. Also soft soles can transfer a lot more shock through to your foot which can be painful on big hits or fast repeated hits.

I use old five ten freeriders and have never noticed a problem with water

[P-Jay]

I've been rather anti-510 in recent years, the original ones were basically very large clumpy sponges for water to collect in (admittedly with the most grippy soles in the world of MTBing) - they've got better though I hear.

I always loved Teva Links, they're as close to being waterproof as you can get without making them too sweaty and whilst they're not nearly as grippy as 510, they're grippy enough for me AND you can change foot position without having to life AND they have a traditional solid sole which means they last and last, unlike the 510s which have a thin layer of rubber over a foam base which means they can tear and again fill with water. (again they're better now).

But sadly, not enough people liked the Teva shoes so they've discontinued them, I've just bought a pair of NOS Links for £45 - my 3rd pair.

My Next pair will be Specialized 2FO - I've heard they're as comfortable as the Tevas (which are the most comfortable things I've ever put on my feet, bike shoes or otherwise) and as weather proof - and slightly more grippy than the Tevas, but again not as good as 510s but that suits me.

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/specialized-2fo-flat-...

They look like a mix Links and 510s the only thing they're missing is the water resistant laces - shame that.